Uganda Cranes preparations for the final match of the 2019 AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania later this month kicked off on Monday with Head Coach Sebastien Desabre naming a list of 15 foreign-based players together with 31 others playing in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League from which nine players will be selected after a Regional tour match in Kampala. The final squad will camp in Cairo together from 18th-22nd March 2019. Two experienced players Hassan Wasswa Mawanda and Godfrey Walusimbi that are unattached to any club have also been summoned. “We want to finish on a high in the group; with good results against Tanzania. I have summoned a new player on the team playing in Germany while some have been recalled to the squad. We are hopeful they will do a good job,” said Desabre. “I have been impressed with the quality of players in the domestic league. During the local camp I will choose nine players to complete the group for match against Taifa Stars. The local camp will also be an opportunity for me to have early preparations of players for 2020 CHAN Qualifiers against South Sudan in July and August,” added the French tactician who already guided Uganda Cranes back to AFCON finals for the second successive time.
The 15 foreign based players: Denis Onyango (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Jamal Salim (Al Hilah Omdruman, Sudan), Robert Odongkara ( Adama City FC, Ethiopia), Murushid Juuko (Simba, Tanzania), Denis Iguma ( Kazma, Kuwait), Nicolas Wadada Azam FC, Tanzania), Herbert Bockhorn Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Moses Opondo (VendsysselFF, Denmark), Joseph Ochaya (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Khalid Aucho (Church Hill Brothers, India), Faruku Miya (Gorica, Croatia), Edris Lubega (SV Reid, Austria), Emma Okwi (Simba-Tanzania), Karisa Milton (MC Oujda, Morocco), Muhammad Shaban (Raja Casablanca, Morocco).
The 31 local based players: Sebwato Nicholas (Onduparaka Fc), Saidi Keni (Sc Villa), James Alitho (URA FC), Charles Lukwago (KCCA FC), Obenchan Filbert (KCCA FC), Willa Paul (Police FC), Samson Mutyaba (Maroons FC), Kizza Mustafa (KCCA FC), Majwega Brian (Maroons FC), Godfrey Walusimbi (Unattached), Timothy Awanyi (KCCA FC), Mbowa Paul Baker (URA FC), Mujuzi Musitafa (Proline FC), Halid Lwaliwa (Vipers SC), Rashid Toha ( Onduparaka FC), Hassan Wasswa Mawanda (Unattached), Sadam Juma (KCCA FC), Eyam Ivan (Mbarara City FC), Taddeo Lwanga (Vipers SC), Okello Allan (KCCA FC), Waisswa Moses (Vipers SC), Bright Anukani (Proline FC), Owori David (Sc Villa), Allan Kyambadde (KCCA FC), Micheal Birungi (Express FC), Poloto Julius (KCCA C), Balinya Juma (Police FC), Serunkuma Daniel (Vipers SC), Kaddu Henry (KCCA FC), Madondo Joel (K-Jinja SS), Bashir Mutanda (Sc Villa).
Training programme:
11th -15th March 2019 training at Lugogo (Local based players)
13th March- FUFA Press Conference at 12.30pm- Uganda Cranes coach addresses media at Lugogo
16th March 2019- Regional Tour match: Uganda Cranes vs Kampala Regional Select team, 9 players will be selected from this local camp to join the 15 foreign based players inCairo.
17th March 2019-Uganda Cranes Squad flies to Cairo for residential camp
18th-22nd March 2019- (24 man Uganda Cranes Squad camp in Cairo, Egypt)
23rd March 2019- (24 man Uganda Cranes Squad flies to Tanzania)
24th March 2019 Tanzania vs Uganda (AFCON Qualifier in Dar es Salaam).
